Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 3

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

We’ve chatted as much as we (used to) eat! New shiny thread for more support.

General principles:

No sugar
No wheat
No processed foods
Honourable mention to tipping the balance of omega 3 and 6, but that’s mostly achieved by doing the above.

Everything else is fair game!

Hello, can I join? I've read the book (but need to read again) and think I might have posted once back on an earlier thread.

Two questions... does anyone on here have any food intolerances or IBS, and how are you finding that with this WOE? Secondly - I notice people are eating oats, oatcakes etc but I just looked them up and apparently oats have a 21:1 omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. Doesn't that make them a no-no? I eat them quite a lot, so was wondering if I should stop!

@Billybagpuss

National Food Strategy: Tax sugar and salt and prescribe veg, report says www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57838103

Nice article this morning AIBU to think there will be zero follow through

I think Boris is more in favour of a sugar tax now he has had Covid. Before he was encouraging mothers to send junk food into schools to avoid Jamie's healthy school dinners.

👋 welcome @lazylinguist!

Re: oats, yes they are higher in omega 6, but that ratio is not horrendous and for me, like nuts, oats have so many other (actually proven) health benefits that I’m carrying on eating them. I have uncooked rolled oats with flax and chia on my yoghurt.

In any case, at the start of the eating plan in the book, Dr Jenkinson recommends porridge for breakfast. I suppose this is because that’s the first stage and the omega ratio is later. However it’s one of many apparent contradictions.

I think that in his eagerness to make his plan not a diet, he has made it too vague. He really should just admit that it is in fact a diet and be more specific. It’s a lot of research and admin otherwise, and there’s so much contradictory information, within and outwith his book.

@lazylinguist

Hello, can I join? I've read the book (but need to read again) and think I might have posted once back on an earlier thread.

Two questions... does anyone on here have any food intolerances or IBS, and how are you finding that with this WOE? Secondly - I notice people are eating oats, oatcakes etc but I just looked them up and apparently oats have a 21:1 omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. Doesn't that make them a no-no? I eat them quite a lot, so was wondering if I should stop!

I have IBS and I do notice a difference - my tummy is generally less upset if I'm eating well. I seem to cope better when I'm not snacking, it's like my body can cope with digesting a meal but not with digesting a meal when more snacks are coming down the chute while it's trying to do that! However, mine is very linked to stress, so if I'm stressed I get the same old symptoms regardless of what I've eaten. So not a miracle cure! I eat oatcakes on the basis that it makes quick lunches much easier, but I generally don't eat breakfast so not much porridge. I think with natural foods, don't get too hung up on the omega ratio - the real culprit is mega processed oil.

I weighed in this morning after my holiday and the scales have stayed the same, phew! I looked back at my Fitbit weight stats and I've been plateaued at this weight for 4 weeks now, but given there was basically a fortnight's holiday in there and quite a few takeaways in the week before that, I'm ok with that. The week before the plateau started I lost 2.5lbs, so week 1 of the plateau I think was just my body adjusting back to its normal rate of 1lb a week, so that one doesn't count! In my holiday there was a lot of alcohol, and I had butteries something like 5 mornings out of 9, a couple of massive ice creams (proper ice cream shop ice cream, though, not cheap shite), and wound up with a McDonald's in the car on the drive home. So I am relieved and surprised to have stayed the same!

I have 2 stone 9 to go to be a healthy BMI. I haven't been a healthy BMI since I was about 25, which is horrifying to think. I'm now 37 - that's appalling. I'd be absolutely delighted to get back to a healthy weight! I've hovered at between half a stone and a stone overweight for most of my adult life, but things have just gone mental in the last 18 months and my weight has ballooned. I do think I look ok with a BMI of about 26, but it would be amazing to be the right weight!

Ok that all sounds good, thanks. I've ditched the seed oil and use olive oil or butter. I have a little handful of oats in full fat Greek yogurt with fruit and a tiny drizzle of honey for breakfast, so I'll keep on doing that. I have suspected intolerances but am still working them out. Dairy seems to be an issue, but I tolerate natural yoghurt well. I'm mostly avoiding bread already, so that should be pretty easy.

I'm doing well on the exercise front. Daily 45 min fast hilly walk, followed by a short yoga or weights session. I'm new to weights and am really noticing the difference. I don't weigh myself but I'm 5'6" and a size 14 and would like to be on the slim side of a 12 but I'm in no hurry!

Speaking of oats, I think I may have an issue. I noticed my home made ones produced similar side effects to shop bought ones - slight indigestion and mild palpitations. A great shame as I love oatcakes, ( so much that I eat them anyway!) and had thought it was some additive in the shop bought ones. They are not high in gluten so that's not it either.

Hi @lazylinguist welcome!

I think some of the apparent contradictions in the book are because there are two separate things going on,

1)reduce glycemic load to avoid insulin spikes and

2. improve omega 3:6 ratio

So something might be recommended because it's high in protein and/ or has a low glycemic load even if its omega ratio isn't great.

Especially if the absolute amount of omega in it isn't very high - as the omega ratio is massively dominated by oil consumption. The amounts in oil are so high compared to most other foods.

Thank you, that's helpful Aria999. I definitely need to re-read the book! Greek yogurt, strawberries and oats for breakfast this morning, mackerel and avocado salad for lunch, so don't think I'm doing too badly. Dinner is supposed to be chilli and rice, but I'll have minimal rice and lots of salad with it!

Regarding the omega 3:6 ratio, an audiobook I'm listening to at the moment says that in cutting out processed food you are already drastically reducing the omega 6, so the focus really needs to be on increasing omega 3 intake.

@lazylinguist

Hello, can I join? I've read the book (but need to read again) and think I might have posted once back on an earlier thread.

Two questions... does anyone on here have any food intolerances or IBS, and how are you finding that with this WOE? Secondly - I notice people are eating oats, oatcakes etc but I just looked them up and apparently oats have a 21:1 omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. Doesn't that make them a no-no? I eat them quite a lot, so was wondering if I should stop!

I agree re oats - but he says in the book that oat porridge is ok for breakfast. (Despite saying breakfast should be low carb). I think he says this so that we don't give up long term. If we can mix things up and sometimes have oats, maybe we won't fall off the low-carb, no wheat wagon?

He also says rice and rice cakes are ok, despite high carb and (I think) high-ish omega 6

TheLeadbetterLife I could not agree more. Many, many contradictions and makes it a nightmare to navigate! I am finding it easier now I am just relaxing and not worrying too much about the exact rules. Was so confused at first why I can't have tofu and nuts but then other high omega 6 foods are ok? But now am just using common sense, avoiding processed, avoiding veg oils, avoiding sugar, and having higher good fats at breakfast in particular.

is anyone else finding they are not very hungry? I am at home a lot these days but still going for walks or out and about for errands, and I am not hungry. But also, my cravings have gone. When I ate a lot of carbs I would crave foods all the time, whether I was hungry or not. But both the cravings for more food and the actual hunger have gone. I still have "emotional" cravings - where I feel bored or overwhelmed and want to turn to food for distraction but its not the same now cos the physical craving is gone. Which is great! If a little confusing, lol

I'm finding that already too, behappy38. Normally it takes an iron will not to reach for the biscuit at about this time of day, but I'm not feeling that at all!

Me too! No longer getting hungry mid-morning or mid-afternoon like I used to. Also finding I'm craving healthy food rather than carbs and sweets like I used to. I genuinely got so excited about my lunch today - babyleaf salad with salmon, plum tomatoes and mozzarella. It was amazing and I'm already excited about having more for tomorrow's lunch!

I think he is avoiding the Diet approach as it can make people obsessed which can lead to over focus on food and then overeating.

I think he is trying to get us to be more aware of food but nothing is off limits. The psychology around eating also needs exploring in more depth.

I thought it was really interesting the way he explained the way food is linked to our evolution and how that is why it is so important to us.

Same here on the not hungry thing. Before I'd eat my breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and probably graze a bit.

I'm really enjoying the food. Realising that I do enjoy healthy stuff and not just sugary crap. Had a lovely steak and big salad for dinner.

Having porridge (with a bit of apple cut up) or a banana and egg pancake for breakfast with geek youghurt and other fruit. So am having fruit even though at breakfast even though I'll advised.

I must buy omega 3 supplements.

@NowYouListenToMeFella

I can't see a bit of fruit to flavour porridge is any worse than a bit of honey tbh.

I think this is why it's good to read the book - it means you can take the general principles and apply them in a way that works for you, rather than just following rigid rules.

How long did you all focus on steps 1 and 2?

I haven't really focused on it in stages, but have taken the key points from his book (reduce wheat, reduce sugar, cut out vegetable oils, reduce processed foods, home-cooked meals, only snack if actually hungry) and applied them. I have been ensuring good sleep patterns and doing some exercise as well, but that wasn't really a big change for me.

I've lost almost 2 stones, but weight-loss has slowed significantly. I'm ok with that, but am going to re-read the book to see if there are other guidelines I need to adhere to if I'm to reduce my weight further. I need to lose another 3lbs to be at the top-end of the healthy BMI bracket, although I realise it is an unreliable measure for many people.

That's it Aria999. The really rigid prescribed food plans I can stick to for a bit but always leads to bingeing.

I'm doing what Tiredandbored is doing. Which I have to say is a big improvement on where I was with eating before I started this.

This woe feels like a good reset to get back into healthy and nutritious food and away from calorie counting. I often found if I had calories left over for a day I would inevitable pick something processed to use them.

Sleep I definitely need to work one. I have the four pillars so hoping reading that will help or give practical tips on that front.

Morning everyone

The not being hungry is a revelation to me. Whenever I have dieted I've obsessed about food all day. Now, as long as I have a reasonably stocked fridge and a vague evening meal plan I don't really think about it.

Yesterday was pretty good. Salmon, new potatoes and salad at lunchtime, then pad thai for dinner with stirfry veg. I did use one of the stirfry sauces for the pad thai, mainly because I wanted to! Found it very, very sweet. Asked dh whether he thought it was too sweet and he said no. So another example of taste buds changing.

Out for a pub meal tonight then off on holiday tomorrow. Will be interesting to see what a week off does. Am going to focus on avoiding wheat (mainly because it gives me a dodgy tummy) and not too much sugar but am also going to enjoy myself. For this woe to work long term for me I need to be able to have a family holiday or meal out without stressing too much.

The book is ready for me to collect from the library!

Maybe once I've read it I'll feel happier as I am hungry lots of the day! I have upped my cheese intake but I want it with crackers really 🤣. Just missing my carbs I think.

I'm also trying to cut down my meat intake so that is making it tricky as well.

I was just thinking about not having to count calories in this WoE. It is SO freeing to not have to check every dish and every ingredient to add up the calories for every meal. It means I'm finding it so much more sustainable than diets in the past when I got counting-fatigue.

It also means I don't eat something in the evening simply to use my alloted calories for that day.

I think it is also beneficial because our bodies adjust to what is expected - if we always eat (for example) 1400 calories a day our bodies adjust to that which may mean our metabolism slows. However with this WoE my calorie intake varies from day to day so my body doesn't make that adjustment.

I need to keep reminding myself of how incredible it is that I've lost weight despite not weighing, counting or measuring a single ingredient for the last 3 months!

@WeWantAMackerelNotASprat

Hope you enjoy the book!

You could always try having a few crackers with your cheese and see if you still lose weight.

I have greatly reduced bread, crackers etc (and increased the cheese) but not cut it out entirely.

Maybe at some point if I want to be lighter I'll try taking it further but probably not as I'm not sure DH could cope